For almost half a century it has been my pride and privilege to stand beside one of the most extraordinary men of our time. I've known his thoughts, shared his joys and triumphs, and felt his pain. Our path together has taken us to heights neither of us could have imagined, and through difficulties that, alone, neither of us might have endured. Through it all, the journey has been truly grand - for I have had the joy of traveling with my beloved companion - Ronald Reagan.
I've often said that when I married Ronnie, I thought I'd married an actor. Well, I quickly found that I'd married not just an actor but also a dynamic political leader! Before we knew it, we had left our peaceful lives in Hollywood to reside in the governor's mansion in Sacramento, and then, incredibly, in the White House, where Ronnie changed the world for the better and became on the most beloved presidents of our time.
I should not have been so surprised by this turn of events - Ronnie's life has always been extraordinary. And as I flip through the pages of this book, I am overwhelmed by memories of his life and our life together: his humble midwest beginnings; his sportscasting and acting careers; our years in public service as well as our time spent among friends and family, saddled on horses at Rancho del Cielo, and relaxing at home. But mostly, I see Ronnie: the gifted world leader, the loving husband and father, a man of depth, humor, compassion, and love for his country, its people, and life itself.
Not all the memories are good. We faced an assassination attempt, several battles with cancer, the bleak days of Iran-Contra, now a long struggle with Alzheimer's - but Ronnie's unquenchable optimism and courage always saw him through, and buoyed me along as well. Part of his strength - and mine - came from you, the American people, to whom he dedicated his life of public service. Your letters, gifts, and prayers have encouraged and cheered us - and made us proud to live, as Ronnie would say, "in this great land we call America."
|
近半个世纪以来,我能始终陪伴在我们时代最伟大的人物之一 —— 里根的左右,这是我的骄傲,也是我的荣幸。我谙熟他的思想主张,与他一起分享快乐和胜利的喜悦,也深切感受了他所经历的痛苦。我们一起走过的路跌宕起伏,我们所取得的辉煌成就是我们任何一个人单独所无法实现的,我们所经历的艰难也是我们任何一个人单独所无法忍受的。有里根做伴,这一路走来,我的人生旅程充满了乐趣。
 |
罗纳德(左一)和南希(左二) 在1952年的婚礼上
|
我曾多次说过,当我嫁给里根时,我以为自己嫁的就是一个普通演员。很快,我就发现自己错了:我的丈夫不仅是一个出色的演员,同时也是一个精力充沛的政治领袖!在我们意识到这一点之前,我们就已经离开了好莱坞的演艺世界,搬到了加州首府萨克拉曼多的州长官邸。然后,不可思议地,我们住进了白宫 —— 这是做梦也没想到的。在白宫的岁月里,里根让世界变得更加美好,而他自己也成为了我们时代最受爱戴的总统之一。
其实,我不应该对生活的这一巨变感到吃惊 —— 里根的生活一直就不同寻常。浏览着这本书,里根的生活以及我们婚后生活中的点点滴滴又浮现在眼前:他卑微的出身、他的运动和演艺生涯、为政府事务操劳的岁月、和家人朋友一起欢度的时光……最令我记忆深刻的是:里根不仅具有天生的领袖才能,更是一个温情的丈夫和慈爱的父亲。他是一个有深度、充满激情同时又不乏幽默的男人,是一个热爱自己的祖国和人民,拥抱生活的人。
当然,并不是所有的记忆都充满了鲜花和欢笑声。里根曾因仇敌策划的暗杀与死神擦肩而过,也曾与癌症作过多次生死搏斗,现在,他又面临着“老年痴呆症”的折磨……但与生俱来的乐观和勇敢,促使里根一次一次度过艰难,同时也鼓励着我勇敢地面对困难。他的这种力量部分来自你们 —— 美国人民,为了你们,他愿意将全部生命奉献给公共事业。正像里根所说:“你们的信件、礼物和祝福一直激励着我们,让我们为生活在这片我们称之为美国的伟大国度里而感到自豪。”
(中国日报网站 彭慧)
|